BLOOD LAW

1.1.2014 - The Great Leveler bombs the Mayor's New Year's Gala. Casualties are high. The culprit is not captured. Supe allies blame Human's First or other hate groups. Others think it may have been an unrelated terrorist attack.

5.30.2014 - The Great Leveler decides to send a message by kidnapping, torturing and killing the self proclaimed Little Queen of the tigers of Boston. The culprit is not caught.

10.8.2014 - Triazepan, a drug that weakens control in lycanthropes, is being added to public food and water sources in an effort to force shifters to shift publicly. As the drug metabolizes too quickly to be traced in the victim's bloodstream, the authorities are unable to prove that the attacks aren't voluntary. As a result, many people, publicly and privately, blame and/or fear the lycanthrope community.

12.10.2014 - With the onslaught of lycanthrope attacks, the Mayor has exercised her police power over the city by implementing a 9pm curfew for all unauthorized individuals. Special events will be granted permits on a case by case basis.

03.08.2015 - Invading Fae send out a magical spell that sends many of the fae population and several others into comas, transporting their minds into a mystical in-between plane.

The first floor is the main business. The immediate area once stepping in is filled with gimmicks, gags, and simple jewelry and books. Varying from dragon and fairy statues, incense trays, popular t.v. show merchandise and even soda. A small display case with loose crystals that are not blessed, and some rings. In the back part of the store in a different section is where the true items are for preternatural purposes. Blessed talismans and crystals. Tarot decks that are blessed, ritual knives, herbs, etc. There is also a door that is always locked. Behind the door is the stairs that would lead up to the apartment above the store that is Artemis home.

Playing Human sucked, you'd think that she would be used to it by now. Considering it was how she was supposed to act pretty much all of her life but she wasn't, she actually hated keeping such a big secret to herself and only her kind. Not that she'd ever tell anyone; she knew better than that, Jo was smart, not a complete idiot. She'd continue to keep the Re'em secret, it was just hard to not go Hey, look at me, I can magical things too! Maybe it was her teenage desire to be something special among her peers, at least the ones that were Human or even lycanthrope. Either way; it had the Girl sighing as she walked along the streets of the North End of Boston, hands shoved into the pockets of her quilted hooded puffer coat.

Boots shuffling snow that had formed little piles here and there along the walk, veering to the left or right to catch each little drift. The streets were pretty empty; most People were probably inside in the warmth, not out venturing in such cold weather. Jo, though, she'd finished her class for the day and she wasn't ready to head home just yet. She was in one of her moods; overthinking things, broody. If she'd been home, she for sure thought her Mother would have told her to take a Midol and come back down when she was feeling less like a Bitch. And really, it wasn't even that she was feeling particularly bitchy, she was just...sulky.

Blowing out some air, she looked up as she was walking by a building. Pausing just before the door, The Witching Hour...that sounded promising. She'd actually been heading to a little boutique she'd heard about but she could spare five minutes to look around and see what this place had. Entering the establishment; she instantly unzipped the front of her coat, feeling a little freer. A smile coming to her face once she got a good look around and realized what all they had, perfect. Maybe she'd find something in there to keep the smile on her face, time forgotten as she began to look around. Eventually, she ended up in the back of the store, curiosity taking hold as she looked over all the different items.

It was time for her bi-weekly visit to occult shop to pick up a few necessities to get her through the next two weeks of daily rituals. For the most part she was still a solitary practitioner, but there were some things that she would only do with the coven since she had decided to become a member. What was the point of joining if she never did anything with them? True. It was not as closely knit as she had hoped it would be, but that had a lot to do with the fact that there were not that many active members. It happened. Some gatherings were more active than others and it all depended on the availability of each member since they all had lives to live. Fortunately Artemis understood this and offered boxes that she would put requested items into as soon as shipments arrived for those that paid the monthly fee. It was extremely convenient. Since she had the free time, Jessica decided to go looked at the gemstones that were sold at the back of the store, noticing that she was not the only one browsing.

"Aren't they beautiful?" She asked with a warm smile. "It's so hard to just choose one. I always walk out of here with at least two and have developed quite a collection... I'm still trying to decide if that is a good or a bad thing. Do you collect?"

Her eyes drifted over the various stones; she'd always had an interest in such things, mainly because of how pretty they were. It wasn't like she was trying to be a Witch; she couldn't, she didn't have that kind of power but it was all still intriguing. And honestly, she didn't see the harm in buying something that was supposed to be a charm, even if she may not have much use in it...she wasn't even sure if something like that would work on her and she wasn't about to ask any of the elders in her community. She didn't want to be looked at like she was stupid just because she had an interest in something outside of the Re'em. Blinking, her dark eyes lifted up and over as she heard the voice, noticing the other Girl and returning the warm smile.

"Yeah, they are really nice. I don't collect though but...maybe I should start." She shifted how she was standing, turning to get a better look at the other Female. "This is legit stuff, right? What Witches use? Like...can normal People use them?" Though she was far from normal, her eyes dropping back to the display. "I find it all interesting, wish I knew more."

Jessica's demeanor was warm and welcoming as she smiled over at the beautiful blonde woman who was also admiring the colorful arrangement of crystals.Truth was that, as nice as she tried her best to be, Jessica did not have any friends that she had not met through Kenji. It would be nice to make a few friends on her own, but she had to be careful not to make the wrong kinds of friends, especially since becoming Kenji's human servant. Especially since trying to use her pathetic witch powers against one of the more powerful vampires in the world... like an idiot. But maybe she should cut herself some slack, huh? It's not like they told her when she worked the charm just what exactly she was dealing with. Still, she had to be pick of who she trusted and make smart choices, especially after having heard from Raina how serious it was.

"Then your wish is my command!" Jessica cheerfully chimed as she took a few steps to the, plucked a book from the shelf, and offered it out to the blonde, trying her hand at being helpful even though this was not her store. "This book is the best for anyone interested in learning about crystals, their different types and their properties, I have it in my own collection back at home."

Would it even be possible to be a Witch or use what Witches use while a Re'em? Some weren't born with power, right? they learned and if they learned, couldn't she? Not that she'd try or anything, she didn't like failure and that would probably be more work then she was ready for. Besides, she was super busy with school on most days, trying to play Witch as a hobby was probably disrespectful anyways. So yeah, no. She could maybe read up on a few things, but that was as far as it was going to go. Jody smiled as she was offered a book to read on crystals, she flipped it open, looking over some of the pages. Eyes glancing back up at the other Woman, "Thanks! Now I just have to find time to read it." She grinned, closing the book and holding it to her chest as she let her gaze drift over the other Woman.

"I'm Jodene, Jody, really. So you work here or are you just super familiar with the place?" She asked curiously since the Woman had known right where that book had been. "I've never been in here before, it caught my eye as I was walking by though and I had to come in and see what it was all about." One hand lifted, pushing her long wavy blonde hair back from her face, then taking a hold of it to drape it over a shoulder. "I'm not disappointed in the slightest."

Jessica smiled. It felt good to help someone out and see how happy it made others, especially those who were open-minded enough to venture in. She really hoped that Artemis didn't mind her helping out. The Witching Hour was like her home away from home, outside of Blush, and she didn't mind helping out a fellow store owner, there were even times that she considered asking if she could work there part time. She would even think as far as selling her own boutique.

Fashion had been her passion at one point in time. It was all she ever wanted to do. But she had changed. With Kenji taking her as his servant and as his wife, she imagined that she was going to change a lot over the centuries. She still had a hard time wrapping her mind around that little chestnut. "Jessica. If you like, Jessi or Jess work fine for me." She said with a warm smile. "It is nice to meet you, Jody. And, yeah, it is because I am here all the time." With a somewhat bashful smile, she reached up and pushed some of her own fiery red hair back behind one of her ears.

"Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Artemis doesn't start handing me a work smock and a box full of merchandise to put on the shelves each time I walk in." She laughed again. "Artemis is the owner, by the way. Very nice. I think she is in the back with inventory right now, but if you get the chance, pick her brain about crystals. She knows almost everything there is to know about them." Jessica then nodded her head and looked around the shop, admiring it for a moment. "It's an amazing place. Not just for the magically inclined, but anyone who a little magic in their lives."

She gave her name; Jessica, Jody mentally noted it so that she'd remember if she ever saw the other Woman again. A grin coming to her face as she glanced around, "Well, if you were going to hang out anywhere, this would be just as interesting, I guess." Her grin growing as the other Female went on about how she was surprised that she wasn't expected to work yet, gaze shifting towards the back that was mentioned. Again, mentally noting the name, Artemis. Boy, if that didn't sound like a name someone would have if they were into all of this stuff, Jodene wondering quietly if the Woman was a Witch or if she just sold these things because she liked them. Her eyes then slipping back to Jessica, also wondering the same thing. She hesitated; then decided, why not and asked anyway. "So...are you a Witch?"

She kept her voice lowered; even though they seemed to be the only ones in the store, no needed to cause an uproar by asking such a question. "I mean, you don't have to tell me, I'm just curious." And then there was that whole curiosity on whether she would be a real Witch or a self-proclaimed one, there was a difference. Real Witches actually had magic, could perform spells and have something happen. "Totally innocent question, by the way. I'm just seriously curious about it all and wouldn't mind learning some things."

Even she had to admit that Artemis had one of those names that stood out. Add in the occult shop and it didn't take a whole lot of thought to put the two together. It also came as no surprise when asked if she too was a witch. Jessica smiled to Jodene and shrugged her shoulders, somewhat dismissively. "I wasn't born with it, but... yeah, I've learned a few things here and there." There were times when that fact made her feel like less of a witch than those who were born with their abilities. Still, she had to remain optimistic and not give up on her occult studies.

"Curiosity brought me into a place like this one years ago and I guess I never lost interest. That was when I learned I had a talent for it. And I appreciate your discretion. However, I don't think anyone here is going to mind much. People are very open-minded here." She gave her best reassuring smile and nodded her head, looking toward one of the many shelves of books that were sporadically arranged throughout the store. "Then you will need to start with the basics..."

Voice trailing off, it took her only a moment before she spotted the book that she was looking for. "Ah! Here we are." She plucked it from the shelf and turned back toward Jodene with a slight smirk as she realized this would make two. "Hope you like reading." Laughing softly, she offered the second book to Jodene and remembered how overwhelmed she had been whenever she first started on her path. Nobody had been there to help her get started. It was something that she had done entirely on her own, but she was thrilled to be there for her newest acquaintance. "This book will teach you all the basics of witchcraft. This might sound odd, but... would you like my number? In case you have any questions while reading the book, that is. I would not mind."

This site is the brainchild of Spoon, Thema and Tiz. A lot of blood, sweat and tears time and effort has gone into the founding blocks of the site and thank you to all three of you for your creative genius and dedication!